Research+Topics

Students come to the library looking for material to #|aide them with research projects frequently. Sometimes, they select their own research topics. This can be a challenge, especially for students who have had limited experiences with research. Often they come in with topics that are too broad or cannot be realistically answered with resources in our library. Read the following examples and see if you can think of more appropriate research topics. Use the card catalog and web links if you would like to explore what types of materials we have available to students.

For example, I had a student who wanted to know how many people have ever lived on Earth. I explained that her topic was too broad, because we haven't been recording the number of births since live began. I also had to explain that not everyone agrees on when live began on Earth, and therefore we could not find a proven, measurable answer. Consequently, we needed to change a few words to make her topic more specific. Instead of using the word "ever" we could specify her search by adding a year. Instead of using the word "lived" we could specify her search by using the words "were born".

Task - Look at the sample topics listed below. Use the tips provided to come up with 1 refined research topic that is still closely related to the initial topic for each listed below. List your three refined topics to the student portfolio. Since this is a short assignment you do not need to create a google document and submit the link. You will receive 1 point for each topic you provide.

Tips:
 * Topics should be based in facts.
 * Help students avoid exaggerated descriptors or vague terms that are not easily measured like (biggest ... EVER!).
 * Topics should be realistic to #|answer. For example, if someone wants to know what the most read book would be that would be impossible to prove).
 * Help them choose specific terms.
 * Help them narrow the focus of their topic whenever possible.

Topic 1 - Who created Earth?

Topic 2 - Who is the oldest person in the world?

Topic 3 - What is the cutest dog?